“It is a small town where they are very well known for producing a high-quality coffee. I looked at issues they were having like management, distribution, logistics and others, so I thought maybe we could incorporate different business models into a digital platform,” Llano-Rios said. “Our ultimate idea is to see if we can export the coffee they produce to the States.”

The coffee app currently is available only in Colombia and in the Spanish language, but ultimately will help potential buyers from the United States buy coffee from growers in the region. The app will feature the different coffees and different aromas, flavors and growing profiles.

“You can take a quiz and it gives you suggestions on coffees based on how much acidity you like, what aromas and flavors because many Colombian coffees are based on different fruits,” Llano-Rios said. “The app and website not only give you a description of the different coffee profiles, but also information about the farm, how the beans are grown and cultivated.”

In addition to selling coffee through the app, Llano-Rios hopes to develop new features to promote eco-tours and coffee tasting events, which currently are handled by word of mouth and by phone.

For Llano-Rios, who completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science in his hometown of Medellin, his path to Speed School and the United States began through a part-time job in Colombia.

“My boss recommended me to a professor he knew at Speed School, Dr. Antonio Badia, associate professor in computer science and engineering, who was looking for a student to work in his research lab,” said Llano-Rios. “Once Dr. Badia and I connected, we found we had many common interests, so I moved to the United States and came to Speed School.”

After Llano-Rios completed his master’s degree, one of those common interests – databases – became the focus of his current PhD research, which he began in 2020. 

While Llano-Rios continues his work with his team on the coffee growers’ app, his post-PhD plans are to go into industry. He hopes to return to Colombia one day but right now, there is so much more he wants to learn and explore in the U.S.

But back to the app, why coffee?

“I just love the taste,” he said.

Check out more from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. 

Whatever you call it, you have to have it – and coffee addicts everywhere will go berserk for a new brand that started right here in Louisville.

UofL alum Bland Matthews (’96) created Berserker Brew with a specific vision: engineer smooth, non-bitter coffee with no empty calories, added sugar, or chemicals. Although originally designed with athletes in mind, Berserker Brew is fit for any coffee-lover aiming for a healthier lifestyle.

“People don’t think about how coffee impacts their training and their ability to heal. It’s all about knowledge and about understanding,” Matthews said. “No one has really talked to athletes before about coffee, about its health benefits, and why they should drink organic coffee.”

Matthews, who graduated with a degree in Political Science from the College of Arts and Sciences, started Berserker Brew in 2017 with the intention to be organic and fair trade. With 100% organic beans and omni-degradable packaging, Berserker Brew leaves an ecological footprint much smaller than the footprint of larger coffee corporations.

“People want me to sell non-organic coffee because it’s cheaper and I could make more profit, but I’m not in it for that,” said Matthews. “I don’t want to substitute the quality of the Berserker Brew experience just for more money.”

Matthews understands the importance of having a solid brand after 20 years of management experience at UPS. With customers in 35 states and three countries, he hopes to solidify partnerships with big racing events like Ironman and the Ragnar Relay Series as Berserker Brew continues to grow.

“When I created Berserker Brew, I had a global view that I wanted a clean, beautiful coffee flavor with an aroma that blows up when you roast it and you smell that wonderful smell of coffee,” said Matthews. “It’s the perfect coffee.”

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